Non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal for a gas turbine engine

Abstract

A non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal for a gas turbine engine includes a non-metallic longitudinal leg section that extends from the non-metallic arcuate interface section and a non-metallic mount flange section that extends from the longitudinal leg section.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A J-shaped non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal for a gas turbine engine to form a compression interface with an airframe bulkhead, comprising:
 a non-metallic arcuate interface section; 
 a non-metallic longitudinal leg section that extends from said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section configured to be at least partially radially supported on an outer case structure of the gas turbine engine, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section comprises a radially inwardly projecting stepped surface configured for positioning immediately axially adjacent to a forward circumferential edge of said outer case structure, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section configured for positioning on top of the outer case structure; and 
 a non-metallic mount flange section that extends transversely from said longitudinal leg section, said non-metallic mount flange having a multitude of apertures to mount said non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal to said outer case structure of said gas turbine engine. 
 
     
     
       2. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic arcuate interface section has a durometer hardness different than a durometer hardness of said non-metallic longitudinal leg section. 
     
     
       3. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic arcuate interface section has a durometer hardness different than a durometer hardness of said non-metallic mount flange section. 
     
     
       4. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic longitudinal leg section has a durometer hardness different than a durometer hardness of said of said non-metallic mount flange section. 
     
     
       5. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section have a different durometer hardness. 
     
     
       6. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section are integral. 
     
     
       7. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section are integral. 
     
     
       8. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section are manufactured of a silicone rubber. 
     
     
       9. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section includes fiber reinforcement. 
     
     
       10. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said fiber reinforcement includes an aramid material. 
     
     
       11. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber reinforcement that impregnates at least one of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section. 
     
     
       12. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber reinforcement bonded to an outer surface of at least one of said non-metallic arcuate interface section, said non-metallic longitudinal leg section, and said non-metallic mount flange section. 
     
     
       13. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal is configured to be positioned forward of a fan section of said gas turbine engine. 
     
     
       14. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal is configured to extend from the outer case structure and from a forward circumferential edge of a fan section forward of an engine mount of the gas turbine engine. 
     
     
       15. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic arcuate interface section is configured to be positioned around an engine axis of the gas turbine engine. 
     
     
       16. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said non-metallic arcuate interface section is circular. 
     
     
       17. The non-metallic engine case inlet compression seal as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber reinforcement bonded to an outer surface of said non-metallic longitudinal leg section to sandwich said non-metallic leg section between said outer case structure and said fiber reinforcement.